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Favorite 8-bit ARCADE game?

Mine is Choplifter, a SEGA 1985 arcade remake of the 1982 computer classic:

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This is an absolute MUST play in MAME.

From Dan Gorlin interview:

How did the "Choplifter" coin-op come about?

That was a straight licensing deal with Sega. They did all the design and artwork themselves and were kind enough to put my name on it, but I had nothing to do with it really. I thought they did a great job of enhancing it, but would have liked to see an analog joystick instead of the usual joyswitch thing. Frankly, I don't like to play anything without linear control.

http://www.dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/GORLIN.HTM

Apparently he didn't like the controls, but the graphics were REALLY beefed up. I think it controls well. It's hard as nails though.
 
I remember thinking the SMS version was pretty easy back in the day, but I'd probably get destroyed if I tried it now. I was just glad the ground still had that cool parallax/perspective effect like it did on the Apple. :)
 
I remember thinking the SMS version was pretty easy back in the day, but I'd probably get destroyed if I tried it now. I was just glad the ground still had that cool parallax/perspective effect like it did on the Apple. :)

The sense of parallax is stunning in the arcade version ^__^
 
This is the impossible question. No answer can be derived from me. I do really, really, really love Spy Hunter, Star Wars (vector version), Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, and Tron.

And yep...I own all of them. /nerd
 
Hm, there are lots I like, but the loves drop off.

Dig Dug 2, Tank Battalion/Battle City, Warlords, Q*Bert 1, and Super Cobra would have to be my top 5, from the looks of my spreadsheet.

I really, really love Dig Dug: Digging Strike for combining the gameplay of 1 and 2, even though (I believe) most stop liking the subseries after 1.

How do we know which arcade games are 8 bit? ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_system_board

Pick a game from 1987 or before, know who developed it, and then click around on the boards until you see it mentioned.
 
Probably Rampage. My parents would take me with them to the local bowling alley for their league and it was my main means of entertainment. I can only imagine the total number of quarters I begged off my Dad.

Edit: Nm it was Rampage. Way back glasses were a bit fuzzy.
 
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I'd have to go with Final Fight. It's from that era but I couldn't find anything confirming 8bit so disregard this if I'm wrong.
 
"8 bit" arcades can be a tricky category... but some of these picks are most definitely NOT 8bit!

Come on GAF, KNOW YOUR BITS!

For me, Joust =, Zaxxon and Time Pilot stand out in this era.
 
yeah, way more 16-bitters showing up in this thread than 8-bitters, what'reyagonnado..


not sure what's my fave.. Ms Pacman probably! Although there's tons of great ones from that period, I am sure it's the one I've easily spent the most time on.

I remember seeing that Sega Master System commercial where they showed off Choplifter, and seeing the parallax scrolling made my heap spin "home games can look like THAT?"
 
Shinobi and Dig Dug.
Also Pac Man
Edit: Scratch Shinobi, it was on System 16, was thrown off by the MS port.
 
Since I'm at a loss as to what qualifies as 8-bit, I'm just going to say Elevator Action.

But if we're talking about cabs we wasted ungodly amounts of money on, it'd probably be Revolution X. I don't think I ever managed to save all of Aerosmith, but playing through the (3-player) game with my two best friends is one of the best gaming experiences of my life.
 
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I was absolutely fascinated by Mr. Do! as a kid.

Couldn't get enough of it, it expanded on Dig Dug so much. So many different strategies and tricks for getting the best score. Your bouncing ball was genius as well.

I also got a diamond once when one of the apples broke for a free game, made my day :)
 
ITT thread people that don't know what 8-bit is, lol


I'd have to go with the old vector classics, like the original Star Wars and/or Tempest
 
All the Williams games stood out for me, so hardcore in nature and each doing something different.

The sound and effects also were perfect. Strafing the laser in Defender and using the smart bomb = so good!

Everything about Joust was really interesting as well.
 
Spotting the difference between an 8-bit and 16-bit arcade game is almost as easy as it is for consoles. Come on people!
 
It's going to have to be Joust. Trying to explain how to play that game to other people justifies the quarter alone.
 
It's going to have to be Joust. Trying to explain how to play that game to other people justifies the quarter alone.

Joust is one the first games that made me think how did you come up with this.

I loved how all Williams games were about mastering a different control method as well. You felt so chuffed in Joust when you took someone out.
 
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I was absolutely fascinated by Mr. Do! as a kid.

Couldn't get enough of it, it expanded on Dig Dug so much. So many different strategies and tricks for getting the best score. Your bouncing ball was genius as well.

I also got a diamond once when one of the apples broke for a free game, made my day :)

Holy crap I was just thinking about this game. Made going to the laundromat much more pleasant.
 
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